ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority has launched a comprehensive QR coding system for trees across Islamabad, taking a major step toward smart and sustainable environmental management. The initiative aims to create a digital inventory of the city’s green assets, enabling accurate monitoring, improved conservation and data driven urban planning.

Under the programme, individual trees are being tagged with unique QR codes containing key information such as species, approximate age, physical condition and location. By scanning the code, authorised officials can instantly access updated records, helping ensure precise identification and informed decisions related to pruning, treatment or protection.

CDA officials said the system will allow real time monitoring of tree health and early detection of disease or environmental stress. It will also help track plantation campaigns, assess survival rates and ensure timely replacement of damaged or removed trees, improving the overall effectiveness of afforestation efforts in the capital.

The initiative forms part of CDA’s broader strategy to integrate technology into municipal management and promote sustainable urban development. Digital mapping and record keeping are expected to enhance transparency, reduce reliance on manual surveys and support long term planning as Islamabad continues to expand.

Environmental experts have welcomed the move, describing it as a practical tool to safeguard mature trees and preserve biodiversity. They said a verified digital record would strengthen action against illegal tree cutting and help authorities plan future plantations based on scientific data rather than estimates.

CDA officials said the QR coding project will be implemented in phases and extended to all sectors, parks and green belts of Islamabad. Once fully operational, the system is expected to serve as a model for other cities seeking to modernise environmental management and protect urban forests more effectively.